Julián Castro and Beto O’Rourke, the Texans in the scrum of Democrats seeking that party’s presidential nomination, have been on big stages before. But not this big.
Rick Perry
Posted inState Government
Analysis: How to turn a weak Texas governor’s office into a strong one
Gov. Greg Abbott, continuing a quiet project started by his predecessor, is making his office more powerful — at the Texas Legislature’s expense.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
How Joe Barton’s downfall led to two competitive Texas races
U.S. Rep. Joe Barton’s startling retirement amid unsavory headlines — coupled with a turbulent national political environment — makes the open-seat race to replace him uncharted territory for candidates from both parties.
Posted in
Congress
Donald Trump nominates Texan Ronny Jackson to lead Department of Veterans Affairs
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation that another Texan — Energy Secretary Rick Perry — might land the post.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Why Texas Republicans hope 2018 won’t be like 1990
Texas Republicans busted through a Democratic wall in 1990, but only because their candidate in the big race that year came close enough to make other victories possible. Texas Democrats haven’t been able to get that close.
Posted in
Energy
Audit: Company behind Texas “clean coal” project used federal funds for liquor, limousines and lobbying
The U.S. Department of Energy’s inspector general says that a now-bankrupt company behind a defunct West Texas “clean coal” power plant spent more than $1.3 million in federal stimulus funds on things like spa service, alcohol, first-class travel and limousine services.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Analysis: There’s a reason Texas governors keep failing to lower property taxes
Anguish over property taxes is at or near the top of the list of what politicians hear most often from Texans. This is not a complicated part of the civic compact: Voters are peeved. Politicians aim to please. Lowering taxes would make a politician popular with voters.
Posted in
Energy
Analysis: Would you hire these people?
The easiest way to judge public officials is the same way you judge the people where you work: Are they doing a good job?
Posted in
Energy
Rick Perry ties fossil fuel use to sexual assault prevention
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in an interview Thursday that increasing fossil fuel use could prevent sexual assault.
Posted in
Energy
Perry pursuing policy on coal, nuclear power at odds with Texas record
As multiple Texas coal plants wind down operations, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry is pushing a widely decried proposal to subsidize coal and nuclear plants in the name of grid resiliency.
